Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-29
Married in her Sleep.

one a, that, says the Toledo Blade
She has been known to walk q dis
tance of two miles a. a stretch with.
out waking up, and on one occasion
she frightened a sleigh load OF people,
who were returning late st night from
party, half out of their wits. 1t
was some time before Miss Abigail's g
parents learned of their daughters
peculiarity, and ever after they kept
close watch Of her. Now, Miss Stark
was courted by a young man from
the Third ward, John Derby, q likely
fellow, but for some reason be and
the old folks could not get along to-
gether, and the upshot of the matter
was that he was denied admission to
the Stark mansion, q proceeding
which quite Disguised the youthful
lovers.
But they were not to be outdone
so easily, and from the time Of the
estrangement between the young man
and the old folks the girl seemed to
take q certain fancy to an aunt who
resides in Lower Town. Strange to
say, the coincidence in time did not
manifest itself to the Stark elders.
and they merely expressed delight
that their daughter should take pleas
ure in visiting her aunt, who was
Mrs. Stark's faYorite sister.
One night, while John and Abigail
were returning from a party, John
proposed that they should get married
without further delay. He said there
was no prospect Of Abigail's parents
ever liking him, and SO long as the
climax had to be reached, he wanted
to reach it by the shortest way. He
did not believe in long courtships.
To ali of which Abigail replied that
it would be impossible for them to
get married without they eloped, for
her aunt would never sanction their
marriage unless her parents gave
their consent.
"Let's eIope, then" said John; ~
am heartily sick and tired of the sub
terfuge which we are practiciug upon
your parents. Let Us get married,
and then if they do not care to see US,
we can live without them"
Abigail hesitated before taking so
important step. She wanted time
to think it over. OF course she ex-
| pected to marry him, even if her par
ents did object, but the proposition
was so sudden that she would ask
him to wait until the next evening
for her answer.
II have already engaged the min
ister," said John, as he bade her fare
well at the gate, "and he promises to
marry us, if he has to get out of bed
at midnight to do it,"
When he had left Abigail be walk
ed slowly up town, picturing in his
mind the happy home he would have,
with Abigail as its mistress. The
bright fire, the cozy chair, the COM
Portable slippers, and all the ct ceteras
that go to make up the picture of a
perfect home came up before him.
Suddenly it occurred to him that he
had promised to call upon his chum,
who lived near tie aunt's residence,
and close up business matter of
some importance. Although it was
late he knew his chum's penchant for
late hours, and therefore had no
scruples.
He retraced his steps, and was
about to ring the bell of his friends
honse when he happened to SEQ
woman coming up the street. The
figure was so familiar that he invol-
UNFAIRLY sought the sidewalk AS
the figure approached the belief that
it was Abigail became certainty,
and he FASTENED forward to meet her.
He was not aware, SO absorbed had
he been in making family pictures,
that one hour had passed since he had
left Abigail In his impetuous way
he had but one thought, and that was
that Abigail had concluded to accept
his proposition and had come out in
the hope of overtaking him.
But he was surprised at her silence
When he spoke to her she answered
in quite as endearing terms as he lad
used in addressing her; then she took
his arms, and the two walked rapidly
away. He asked her if she had real
ly decided to marry him that night,
and was sure she said yes. Anyway
he was so overjoyed that he nearly
forgot the way to the minister's All
was dark when he got there, but a
vigorous ringing soon brought the
divine to the front door John was
not long in explaining the situation,
and the minister soon had the front
room in order for the couples recep-
ton. He also pressed his wife into
service as a witness, and in a very
brief period the knot was tied and
John was happy.
Abigail had answered all questions
properly, and was apparently as hap
py as John over the result. She had
not Withdrawn her veil during the
ceremony, nor had John in his rapt-
ures thought of asking her to do so.
They decided that she should return
to her aunt's house and remain there
for Il day or two until the final prep.
arations should be made, when they
should go into their own home.
When John left Abigail for the
second time that night he felt that he
no longer held the uncertain position
of lover, but that she was his wife
by divine decree. Visions of the per-
feet home, of the comfortable slippers,
cosy chair and warm fire followed
him home and became large part of
his dreams when he dropped off.
And all the next day they still occu-
pied his thoughts. In the evening
he was at Abigail's side. His first
words were:
"My wife now, in spite of every
one"
She looked at him as though she
thought him crazy. "Your wife,
John?" she exclaimed. "But | have
not accepted your proposition yet.
You presume too much, sir" and she
drew herself up in a mock defiant
manner
"You are a big tease" said John,
"but could scarcely believe my
Senses"
What are you talking about,
John!" looking at him seriously.
"Why, our marriage" " replied he.